Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, dear friends!💖 Oh, what a busy month that was! With full time work (I know i haven’t shared that with you, but I will soon), homeschooling, doctors appointments, meet ups, my mom’s trip back home, and demands here and there, we were exhausted and I hated it!😥
But despite of it all, I found solace in God’s Words. I had to cry it out to Him in prayers.🙏🏽
I also almost didn’t want to post this video because Christmas is over. But on a second thought, why not? I want to remember these sweet memories with my little family; slowing down and doing things with my girls actually recharge me. I live for these special moments I get to spend with them.
So here it is! I hope this video will inspire you to slow down and enjoy the simplest and most important things in life.✨ ~Merry
TIME STAMP:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Decorating our Home
3:40 Making Salt Dough Advent Spiral (recipe below)
6:04 Making Salt Dough Ornaments (recipe below)
9:37 Hanging the Salt Dough Ornaments on the Christmas Tree
10:32 Making Gingerbread Lollipop Holder for friends as Christmas favours
11:18 Wrapping Gifts
13:18 Christmas Day
13:46 Bright Nights Train ride at Stanley Park
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SALT DOUGH ADVENT SPIRAL
(recipe by Woodlark Blog)
Materials:
- 1c flour- 1/2c salt- 1 tbs cream of tartar- 1-2 tsp olive or avocado oil- 1/2-1c warm water
Steps:
1. Make your salt dough by mixing 1c flour + 1/2c salt + 1 tbs cream of tartar in a bowl. Add 1/2-1c boiling (or warm) water into the flour mixture and stir with a spoon until the dough is combined. Start with 1/2c and add additional water if needed. Make a well in the center of the dough and add 1-2 tsp olive or avocado oil. Knead until smooth.
2. Roll your dough out into a long roll, coil it around into a spiral and press down slightly to flatten. Use the base of one of your candles or anything to create the indents. (We used a brass candle holder with ours.)
3. You can either bake the spiral in your oven or let it air dry (allow several days). Bake in your oven on a top rack on the lowest setting (usually 170 degrees F) until completely dry. Check on it every 30 minutes. It should take a few hours, approximately 2-4 depending on the thickness of your spiral.
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SALT DOUGH ORNAMENT
(recipe by Julie Blanner)
Materials:2 cups all purpose flour1 cup salt¾ cup water more if needed
Steps:
* Preheat oven to 200°F.
* In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, whisk to combine flour and salt.
* Over medium low speed, gradually add water, reserving a few tablespoons. Mix until well combined and just moist. Add remaining water 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed.
* Using your hands on a lightly floured surface or mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, knead until smooth. (The longer you knead, the smoother your dough and ornaments will be).
* Secure a sheet of parchment paper to working surface and roll dough ¼" thick for ornaments. (You can also roll on a surface lightly dusted with flour).
* Gently press cookie cutter into dough. Using a straw, press into dough shape to punch a hole to hang ornament.
* Transfer parchment to cookie sheet and bake in a preheated oven 20 minutes. Using a cookie spatula, gently flip ornaments and bake 10 more minutes or until dry. Allow to cool.
* Ornaments last 30+ years!
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